ExpressVPN VS PIA (Private Internet Access) – 2016 Comparison

Chris Beattie

April 5, 2016

0

Twitter

Facebook

Linkedin

ExpressVPN VS Private Internet Access

- UPDATED: April 4, 2016 -

ExpressVPN VS Private Internet Access

This article defines the outright better VPN service between ExpressVPN VS Private Internet Access across the six most important and highly-prioritised factors that anyone considering either VPN provider should consider before choosing one or the other.

Both ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access are very popular services that have solidified great reputations over the years as the awareness of online privacy protection and VPN software has become more and more prevalent in our surveillance-heavy online world.

Comparing these two impressive VPN providers across such factors is a great way to really understand the differences between each service. So let's find out which service is the better one: ExpressVPN or Private Internet Access!

NOTE: The percentages for each VPN across the factors are calculated against every VPN service provider we have reviewed here at Fried.com. So 100% means that service is one of -- if not the -- best performer in that area.

And the winner is...

Comparison Breakdown

So now that the quick breakdown of ExpressVPN VS Private Internet Access has been laid out -- it is important to understand how we have come to the stats that we have for each of the six factors against both VPN providers.

Therefore, below is exactly that. An efficient analyses of how each VPN provider received the stat grade it did in this comparison. As you will see, the differences between these two are close in some factors; broad in others. Let's get into it:

PRICE

Best

↓

$$$

PLANS OFFERED:1 month = $12.95 6 months = $59.9412 months = $99.84

- ExpressVPN prices its plans in the high-end range when compared against all other top-end VPN providers. For this comparison the price difference is stark, almost double Private Internet Access.

$

PLANS OFFERED:1 month = $6.956 months = $35.9512 months = $39.95

- Private internet Access charge very affordable pricing plans for their VPN service. When compared to ExpressVPN, users will save close to 50% with Private Internet Access.

SPEED & PERFORMANCE

Best

↓

100%

- When it comes to internet speeds on ExpressVPN connections, you are hard-pushed to find another VPN service to match. Speeds are consistently great across 99% of servers with this VPN.

80%

- For the price that you pay, Private Internet Access provide internet speeds are very fair, however the drop when connected is more than you experience with ExpressVPN.

SECURITY & PRIVACY

Best

↓

90%

- The levels of encryption used on the ExpressVPN service are that of 'military grade', which is what you want to expect from a provider that charges prices in the high-end spectrum. This coupled with the VPN's zero-logging make it a fantastic privacy and security protector.

50%

- Users are given the same encryption standards on Private Internet Access as with ExpressVPN. Both utilise 256-bit encryption on OpenVPN as standard, with more protocol options available. However, Private Internet Access falls short by having to adhere to US laws.

DEVICE COMPATIBILITY

Best

↓

EVEN

95%

- Any device you would ever want to have a VPN setup and connected through is compatible with the ExpressVPN software. From your smartphone to your laptop, games console to your home router -- ExpressVPN works.

95%

- Even outcome on this factor between ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access. PIA also gives users a comprehensive level of device compatibility across all major devices, including very handy and well laid out setup guides to help.

SERVER LOCATIONS

Best

↓

78+

- Users of ExpressVPN are offered a very large library of server locations all over the world, allowing unblocking of many nationally-restricted online content. Although Private Internet Access offers hundreds of servers, they are located in less than half the amount of countries in comparison.

25+

- A very respectable amount of server locations is offered to users that choose Private Internet Access. This is an area of the service where you are definitely "getting what you pay for", with the almost double-priced ExpressVPN offering more than double the locations of servers.

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

Best

↓

95%

- Very close race on this area, with ExpressVPN offering all levels of support from email to social to ticketing, and most importantly a live chat option right on the website that has a very quick response time.

80%

- Private Internet Access provide a fantastic level of customer support, especially considering how much less you pay for this VPN service in comparison to ExpressVPN. Live chat is also offered, but with a longer wait time.

And the winner is...

In ExpressVPN VS Private Internet Access -- ExpressVPN proves to be the better service. Yes, ExpressVPN succeeds in out-performing Private Internet Access over four of the six most important factors taken into consideration for this comparison.

Conclusion

ExpressVPN is the superior VPN service provider when compared against Private Internet Access. Each VPN provider performed well across all six analysed factors, but in the end ExpressVPN offers a more well-rounded service across the board.

With that said, very high praise must be given to Private Internet Access for pricing their service incredibly fairly. Charging almost twice as less as ExpressVPN, users are still given a very solid and reliable VPN service with Private Internet Access.

Be sure to check out our comprehensive full reviews of both ExpressVPN and IPVanish to take a complete, detailed look at each service independently from each other: